Watch



' March 17, 1936.

A. BULOVA 2 034,65l

WATCH Filed Aug. 15, 1935 A TTORNEY Patented Mar. 17, 1936 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE WATCH Ard Bulova, New York,

Watch Company, Inc.,

This invention relates to watches, and especially to small watches. In a small watch the cost of the movement is materially greater as the size is less, and it is a problem how to produce means for excluding dust and weather without making the Watch larger or requiring a smaller movement.

An object of this invention is to provide an effectual dust-proofing device which does not call for a smaller movement for a given size of watch and does not appreciably or noticeably increase the size of the watch as a whole.

Another object of the invention is to dust-proof the face of the movement where it is not covered by the dial plate.

Another and important object is so to construct the dust-proofing element in relation to the winding means that the entrance of foreign material at this region is virtually precluded while at the same time the delicate winding stem is strongly braced. Breaking of the winding stem has heretofore been a common occurrence.

In the accompanying drawing, forming a part hereof:

Fig. 1 is a rear elevation of a baguette watch, partly in section to illustrate the invention;

Fig. 2 is a plan view, or upper edge view, of the movement and the shield of this invention;

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary cross-section, on a larger scale, taken on the line 3--3 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary top view of the watch, including the case, shield and movement, with the stem again in section, this view being on the same scale as Fig. 3; and

Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the shield, enlarged.

The specific construction of the watch-case 2 may be varied. For small watches a capsule type of case consisting of a bottom part 3 and a front or bezel part 4, tightly telescoping, is suitable.

The movement is marked 5, the winding and setting stem 6 and the crown I. In the upper edge of the movement, at opposite sides of the stem,

certain customary slots 8 are indicated in broken lines beneath the shield 9.

This shield is a thin strip of metal as wide as the movementand long enough to cover the slots, with a hole It! more or less in the middle. This strip is inserted between and tightly clasped by the case and the upper edge of the movement. The winding stem 6 extends through the middle of this hole, and is fixed frictionally or otherwise in the depending neck l2 of the crown 1. This neck I2 is closely encircled or telescoped by a tube l3, which is united to the dust-strip 9 N. Y., assigncr to Bulova New York, N. Y., a cor- 1935. Serial No. 36,271

about the edge of the hole l0. As a further protection, the tube I3 is caused to extend into an annular recess M in the under side of the crown 1 between the neck l2 and a depending rim l5. This relation of the parts makes it practically impossible for dust or moisture to enter the watch and so supports the winding stem that it is virtually proof against shocks.

The firmness with which the tube I3 is supported, and the strong bracing which it affords to the winding stem, are due entirely to the union of the tube with the thin strip 9, which is not itself a rigid or massive element or secured in any way except by being tightly and frictionally gripped throughout its extent by and between the case and the movement. This gives the tube an exceptionally firm foundation, so that the tube stands rigid without any other support from the case. At the same time the leaf or strip protects the movement from dust seeking to enter around the outside of the tube. The opening in the case through which the tube projects is formed in the usual manner by slots or notches in the two parts of the case and naturally can not be expected to make a tight fit with the outside of the tube so as either to exclude dust at this region or to provide support for the tube. A further advantage of the construction is that it is exceedingly compact; that is to say, the presence of the dust strip and the manner in which the tube is supported do not require a larger case, or on the other hand a smaller movement.

Another feature of the invention is a flange IS on one edge of the dust-strip 9, the purpose of this flange being to fit over the edge of the face of the movement 5 and against the edge of the dial plate N. This flange closes off another access against grit and moisture.

I claim:

1. In a watch comprising a case and a movement with winding means, a dust-shield consisting of a metal leaf inserted between and clasped by the case and the upper edge of the movement and having a hole for the winding means, and a tube extending upward from said leaf at the region of the hole, said tube being firmly held solely by the leaf to which it is united and which is clasped by and between the case and the movement, and said tube closely surrounding a portion of the winding means so as to increase the dustproofness and to protect the fragile part of the winding means against breakage.

2. In a watch comprising a case and a movement with winding stem, the combination of a crown applied to said stem and provided with a crown applied to said stem and provided with a neck, and with an annular recess, a dust-strip inserted between and clasped by the case and the upper edge of the movement and having a hole about the winding stem, and a tube extending upward from said dust-strip and telescoping with said neck and entering said recess, said tube being firmly held solely by the dust-strip to which it is united and which is clasped by and between the case and the movement.

4. In a watch comprising a case and a movement with winding means, a dust-strip inserted between the case and the upper edge of the movement and having an opening closely fitting the Winding means, said dust-strip also having a flange closely overlapping one face of the movement.

ARDE' BULOVA. 

